After East West, Hazelwood is next say Greens

More than 200 people gathered on the states of the Victorian State Parliament today calling on the Labor government to replace Hazelwood power station with clean energy.

Hazelwood is Australia’s dirtiest power station and was slated to close by the former Labor government in 2010.

The Greens want Premier Daniel Andrews to follow through with Labor’s commitment to close the power station and put in place a community-led transition for the Latrobe Valley, including mine rehabilitation.

“Community pressure in inner Melbourne forced Labor to act on the East West toll road and it can force them to act on Hazelwood,” Greens Federal Member for Melbourne Adam Bandt MP said.

“In 2010, then Labor Premier promised to shut down Hazelwood and declared “either you believe in closing Hazelwood or you don’t, and I do”. Daniel Andrews now needs to act on that promise.”

“No government can claim to have a credible climate change policy unless it has a plan to replace coal-fired power” said Greens State Member for Melbourne and spokesperson on Energy Ellen Sandell MP.

"Coal-fired power stations like Hazelwood are being run into the ground and the community risks being left without jobs, a healthy environment or support to make a transition."

“Labor had a plan to phase out Hazelwood in 2010. The government must act on its promise to close Hazelwood, and commit money in the upcoming budget to a community-led transition plan for the Latrobe Valley to create jobs and rehabilitate the mine.”

Colin Long, Victorian Secretary of the NTEU (National Tertiary Education Union), and Tom Doig, author of The Coal Face, joined Adam Bandt and Ellen Sandell in speaking at the rally.

The rally followed Ms Sandell’s statement in Parliament calling for Labor to replace Hazelwood with renewable energy, and commit to a community-led transition plan for the Latrobe Valley, including rehabilitation of the Hazelwood mine and support for local communities to create jobs.

The Greens will continue to campaign until Labor announces it will replace Hazelwood with renewable energy. So far over 5,100 people have signed the campaign petition at www.replacehazelwood.com.au.

We respectfully acknowledge the Wurundjeri as the Traditional Owners of this country, pay tribute to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and give respect to the Elders past, present and emerging.